Machu Picchu - Facts & Summary - HISTORY.com Google Machu Picchu’s Inca Past Historians believe Machu Picchu was built at the height of the Inca Empire, which dominated western South America in the 15th and 16th centuries. It was abandoned an estimated 100 years after its construction, probably around the time the Spanish began their conquest of the mighty pre-Columbian civilization in the 1530s. There is no evidence that the conquistadors ever attacked or even reached the mountaintop citadel, however; for this reason, some have suggested that the residents’ desertion occurred because of a smallpox epidemic. Did You Know? Machu Picchu is made up of more than 150 buildings ranging from baths and houses to temples and sanctuaries. Many modern-day archaeologists now believe that Machu Picchu served as a royal estate for Inca emperors and nobles. Others have theorized that it was a religious site, pointing to its proximity to mountains and other geographical features that the Incas held sacred.

Dozens of alternate hypotheses have cropped up in the years since Machu Picchu was first unveiled to the world, with scholars variously interpreting it as a prison, a trade hub, a station for testing new crops, a women’s retreat or a city devoted to the coronation of kings, among many examples. Machu Picchu’s “Discovery” by Hiram Bingham In the summer of 1911 the American archaeologist Hiram Bingham arrived in Peru with a small team of explorers hoping to find Vilcabamba, the last Inca stronghold to fall to the Spanish. Traveling on foot and by mule, Bingham and his team made their way from Cuzco into the Urubamba Valley, where a local farmer told them of some ruins located at the top of a nearby mountain. The farmer called the mountain Machu Picchu, which translates to “old peak” in the native Quechua language. On July 24, after a tough climb to the mountain’s ridge in cold and drizzly weather, Bingham met a small group of peasants who showed him the rest of the way.

Led by an 11-year-old boy, Bingham got his first glimpse of the intricate network of stone terraces marking the entrance to Machu Picchu. The excited Bingham spread the word about his discovery in a best-selling book, “The Lost City of the Incas,” sending hordes of eager tourists flocking to Peru to follow in his footsteps up the formerly obscure Inca Trail. He also excavated artifacts from Machu Picchu and took them to Yale University for further inspection, igniting a custody dispute that lasted nearly 100 years. It was not until the Peruvian government filed a lawsuit and lobbied President Barack Obama for the return of the items that Yale agreed to complete their repatriation. Although he is credited with making Machu Picchu known to the world—indeed, the highway tour buses use to reach it bears his name—it is not certain that Bingham was the first outsider to visit it. There is evidence that missionaries and other explorers reached the site during the 19th and early 20th centuries but were simply less vocal about what they uncovered there.

The Site of Machu Picchu In the midst of a tropical mountain forest on the eastern slopes of the Peruvian Andes, Machu Picchu’s walls, terraces, stairways and ramps blend seamlessly into its natural setting. The site’s finely crafted stonework, terraced fields and sophisticated irrigation system bear witness to the Inca civilization’s architectural, agricultural and engineering prowess. Its central buildings are prime examples of a masonry technique mastered by the Incas in which stones were cut to fit together without mortar. Archaeologists have identified several distinct sectors that together comprise the city, including a farming zone, a residential neighborhood, a royal district and a sacred area. Machu Picchu’s most distinct and famous structures include the Temple of the Sun and the Intihuatana stone, a sculpted granite rock that is believed to have functioned as a solar clock or calendar. Machu Picchu Today A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983 and designated one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, Machu Picchu is Peru’s most visited attraction and South America’s most famous ruins, welcoming hundreds of thousands of people a year.

Increased tourism, the development of nearby towns and environmental degradation continue to take their toll on the site, which is also home to several endangered species. As a result, the Peruvian government has taken steps to protect the ruins and prevent erosion of the mountainside in recent years. Tags Things To Do in Cusco Machu Picchu: Top Attractions & Activities | Expedia Adventures (9) Attractions (20) Day Trips & Excursions (13) Food & Drink (1) Multi-Day & Extended Tours (12) Private Tours (4) Private Transfers (2) Shared Transfers (1) Tours & Sightseeing (35) Walking & Bike Tours (8) Water Activities (1) Activities in Cusco - Machu Picchu Machu Picchu is one of the rare spots on the map every dedicated tourist simply must see in person at least once during their lifetime. This majestic and mysterious empire of Incan ruins is hidden away in the shadow of the Andes Mountains. Expedia.com can transport you to this land of mystery, spiritually, and adventure by helping you plan your trip.

Discover how you can experience all the Machu Picchu excursions and activities that will place you at the foot of spectacular ancient ruins. Get ready to pack your bags for Peru because your vacation to Machu Picchu is one that has been centuries in the making. Don't Miss the Temple of the Sun Catching a glimpse of the Temple of the Sun is one of the most important things to do in Machu Picchu. This impressive tower was constructed in a circular shape over granite and it houses the sacred sun dial that the Incas used during ceremonial celebrations of the winter solstice each year. The sun dial was central to the agricultural and spiritual practices that defined Incan culture. This importance makes the temple among one of the most popular attractions in Machu Picchu. Temple of the Moon Offers Serenity Off the Beaten Path A journey to this secretive set of ruins is one of the Machu Picchu activities not every tourist dares to embark on. The Temple of the Moon requires a 45 minute hike downward from Machu Picchu. The rugged trail used to get to the temple discourages most tourists. Those that do make the journey are treated to silence and serenity. Archeologists only discovered this temple in 1936.

It is uncertain exactly what the Incas used it for. A mysterious throne sits in the middle of the ruins and some pockets of the structure are thought to have housed the remains of mummies at one point. Hike the Sacred Valley A rugged hike is one of the best ways to walk in the footsteps of the ancient Incas to experience a physical, spiritual, and environmental connection to their civilization. Local tour guides provide tourists with many opportunities to experience guided hikes through the Incan trails that wind through the Andes Mountains before reaching the ruins of Machu Picchu. The hikes are ideal for people with the physical capability and endurance to handle them since the trail is rugged in spots and the journey does take several nights of camping in order to be completed. The essence of the Incas comes alive as you map your way through the terrain they called home. Experience the Magic of Machu Picchu Tours Let Expedia.com help you plan a mystical adventure to one of the top places in the world to view ancient ruins. We will help you get the best rates so you don't have to miss out on any of the exciting attractions in Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu - Crystalinks Machu Picchu Machu Picchu (Quechua: Machu Picchu, "Old mountain") is a pre-Columbian Inca site located 2,400 meters (7,875 ft) above sea level. It is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, which is 80 km (50 mi) northwest of Cusco. Often referred to as "The Lost City of the Incas", Machu Picchu is probably the most familiar symbol of the Inca Empire. The Incas started building the estate around AD 1400 but it was abandoned as an official site for the Inca rulers a century later at the time of the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. Although known locally, it was unknown to the outside world before being brought to international attention in 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham. Since then, Machu Picchu has become an important tourist attraction. Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary in 1981 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

Since it was not plundered by the Spanish when they conquered the Incas, it is especially important as a cultural site and is considered a sacred place. Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls. Its primary buildings are the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows. These are located in what is known by archaeologists as the Sacred District of Machu Picchu. In September 2007, Peru and Yale University reached an agreement regarding the return of artifacts which Hiram Bingham had removed from Machu Picchu in the early twentieth century. Pseudoscience Much of what is linked to the ancient Inca, including the Nazca Lines , Ica Stones , Band of Holes near Pisco Valley, Peru and ruins at Tiwanaku and Machu Piccu, were created by ancient aliens who lived on the planet in another timeline. Unexplained evidence around the world - such as that presented on the History Channel TV series Ancient Aliens - points in that direction. Machu Picchu's unusual patterns are best viewed from the sky. Some people believe it to be a landing strip for extraterrestrials.

Its celestial observatory depicts many patterns found on petroglyphs throughout the world. History Machu Picchu was constructed around 1460, at the height of the Inca Empire. It was abandoned less than 100 years later. It is likely that most of its inhabitants were wiped out by smallpox before the Spanish conquistadores arrived. Hiram Bingham, the credited discoverer of the site, along with several others, originally hypothesized that the citadel was the traditional birthplace of the Inca people or the spiritual center of the "Virgins of the Suns". The Citadel Another theory maintains that Machu Picchu was Inca "llacta": a settlement built to control the economy of the conquered regions. It may also have been built as a prison for a select few who had committed heinous crimes against Inca society. Research conducted by scholars, such as John Rowe and Richard Burger, has convinced most archaeologists that rather than a defensive retreat, Machu Picchu was an estate of the Inca emperor, Pachacuti. In addition, Johan Reinhard presented evidence that the site was selected based on its position relative to sacred landscape features.

One such example is its mountains, which are purported to be in alignment with key astronomical events. Although the citadel is located only about 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Cusco, the Inca capital, it was never found and consequently not plundered and destroyed by the Spanish, as was the case with many other Inca sites. Over the centuries, the surrounding jungle grew over the site, and few knew of its existence. On July 24, 1911, Machu Picchu was brought to the attention of scholars by Hiram Bingham, an American historian then employed as a lecturer at Yale University. He was led there by locals who frequented the site. Bingham undertook archaeological studies and completed a survey of the area. Bingham coined the name "The Lost City of the Incas", which was the title of his first book. He never gave any credit to those who led him to Machu Picchu, mentioning only "local rumor" as his guide. Bingham had been searching for the city of Vitcos, the last Inca refuge and spot of resistance during the Spanish conquest of Peru.

In 1911, after years of previous trips and explorations around the zone, he was led to the citadel by Quechuans. These people were living in Machu Picchu, in the original Inca infrastructure. Even though most of the original inhabitants had died within a century of the city's construction, a small number of families survived so by the time the site was 'discovered' in 1911, there were still mummies (mostly women) in Machu Picchu and some families still living on the site. Bingham made several more trips and conducted excavations on the site through 1915. He wrote a number of books and articles about the discovery of Machu Picchu in his lifetime. Simone Waisbard, a long-time researcher of Cusco, claims that Enrique Palma, Gabino Sanchez, and Agustin Lizarraga left their names engraved on one of the rocks at Machu Picchu on July 14, 1901. This would mean that they 'discovered' it long before Bingham did in 1911. Likewise, in 1904, an engineer named Franklin supposedly spotted the ruins from a distant mountain.

He told Thomas Paine, an English Plymouth Brethren Christian missionary living in the region, about the site, Paine's family members claim. In 1906, Paine and another fellow missionary named Stuart E McNairn (1867-1956) supposedly climbed up to the ruins. In 1913, the site received significant publicity after the National Geographic Society devoted their entire April issue to Machu Picchu. In 1981 an area of 325.92 square kilometers surrounding Machu Picchu was declared a "Historical Sanctuary" of Peru. In addition to the ruins, this area includes a large portion of the regional landscape, rich with flora and fauna. Machu Picchu was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1983 when it was described as "an absolute masterpiece of architecture and a unique testimony to the Inca civilization". On July 7, 2007, Machu Picchu was voted as one of New Open World Corporation's New Seven Wonders of the World.

As a result of environmental degradation resulting from the impacts of tourism, uncontrolled development in the nearby town of Aguas Calientes (including a poorly-sited tram to ease visitor access), and the construction of a bridge across the Vilcanota River in defiance of a court order and government protests (which would most likely bring even more tourists to the site), the World Monuments Fund placed Machu Picchu on its 2008 Watch List of the 100 Most Endangered Sites in the world. Location Machu Picchu is 70 kilometers northwest of Cusco, on the crest of the mountain Machu Picchu, located about 2,350 meters (7,710 ft) above sea level. It is one of the most important archaeological centers in South America and the most visited tourist attraction in Peru. From the top, at the cliff of Machu Picchu, there is a vertical rock face of 600 meters ending at the foot of the Urubamba River. The location of the city was a military secret because its deep precipices and mountains were an excellent natural defense.

The Inca Bridge, an Inca rope bridge across the Urubamba River in the Pongo de Mainique, provided a secret entrance for the Inca army. Another Inca bridge to the west of Machu Picchu, the trunk bridge, has a section across a cliff face with a 6 metres (20 ft) gap in it which could be bridged by two tree trunks. If the trees were removed, it would leave a 570 metres (1,900 ft) fall to the base of the cliffs to discourage invaders. It is above Urubamba Valley. The city sits in a saddle between two mountains, with a commanding view down two valleys and a nearly impassable mountain at its back. It has a water supply from springs that cannot easily be blocked, and enough land to grow food for about four times as many people as actually lived there. The hillsides leading to it have been terraced, not only to provide more farmland to grow crops, but to steepen the slopes which invaders would have to ascend. There are two high-altitude routes from Machu Picchu across the mountains back to Cuzco, one through the sun gate, and the other across the Inca bridge.

Both could easily be blocked if invaders should approach along them. Regardless of its ultimate purpose, it is in a highly defendable position. Architecture Most of the construction in Machu Picchu uses the classic Inca architectural style of polished dry-stone walls of regular shape. The Incas were masters of this technique, called ashlar , in which blocks of stone are cut to fit together tightly without mortar. The Incas were among the best stone masons the world has seen, and many junctions in the central city are so perfect that not even a knife fits between the stones. Other Inca buildings have been built using mortar, but by Inca standards that was quick, shoddy construction. Peru is a highly seismic land, and mortar-free construction was more earthquake-resistant than using mortar. Inca walls show numerous subtle design details that would prevent them from collapsing in an earthquake. Doors and windows are trapezoidal and tilt inward from bottom to top, corners are usually rounded, inside corners often incline slightly into the rooms, and "L" shaped blocks are often used to tie outside corners together. Walls do not rise straight from top to bottom but are offset slightly from row to row.

As a result, Machu Picchu is a city that has stood up well to earthquakes over the years. The Incas never used the wheel in any practical manner. How they moved and placed enormous blocks of stones is a mystery, although the general belief is that they used hundreds of men to push the stones up inclined planes. A few of the stones still have knobs on them that could have been used to lever them into position. After they were placed, the Incas would have sanded the knobs away. The space is composed of 140 constructions including temples, sanctuaries, parks and residences (houses with thatched roofs). There are more than one hundred flights of stone steps - often completely carved from a single block of granite - and a great number of water fountains, interconnected by channels and water-drainages perforated in the rock, designed for the original irrigation system. Evidence has been found to suggest that the irrigation system was used to carry water from a holy spring to each of the houses in turn. According to archaeologists, the urban sector of Machu Picchu was divided into three great districts: the Sacred District, the Popular District, to the south, and the District of the Priests and the Nobility.

Temple of the Sun Located in the first zone are the primary archaeological treasures: the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun and the Room of the Three Windows. These were dedicated to Inti, their sun god and greatest deity. The Popular District, or Residential District, is the place where the lower class people lived. It includes storage buildings and simple houses to live in. In the royalty area, a sector existed for the nobility: a group of houses located in rows over a slope; the residence of the Amautas (wise persons) was characterized by its reddish walls, and the zone of the Nustas (princesses) had trapezoid-shaped rooms. The Monumental Mausoleum is a carved statue with a vaulted interior and carved drawings. It was used for rites or sacrifices. Inca Trail As part of their road system, the Inca built a road to Machu Picchu. Today, tens of thousands of tourists walk the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu each year, acclimatizing at Cusco before starting on a two- to four-day journey on foot from the Urubamba valley up through the Andes mountain range.

Intihuatana Stone Shamanic legends say that if you're a sensitive person and you rub your forehead against the stone you will see the spirit world. The Intihuatana stone is one of the many ritual stones in South America. They are arranged so they point directly at the sun during the winter solstice. The Spanish did not find Machu Picchu until the 20th century so the Intihuatana Stone was not destroyed like many other ritual stones. It is also called "The Hitching Point of the Sun" because it was supposed to hold the sun in its place. At midday on March 21st and September 21st the sun stands almost above the pillar creating no shadow at all. It is (as they said before) believed to be an astronomic clock built by the Incas. The Intihuatana Stone was damaged in September 2000 when a 450 kg (1,000-pound) crane fell onto it, breaking off a piece of stone the size of a ballpoint pen. In the 1980s, a large rock from Machu Picchu's central plaza was moved to a different location in order to create a helicopter landing zone.

Helicopter landings were forbidden in the 1990s. Reports circulated in February 2008 that a company, Helicusco, was able to make tourist flights over Machu Picchu, but the situation is unclear. Concerns Over Tourism Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage site. As Peru's most visited tourist attraction and major revenue generator, it is continually threatened by economic and commercial forces. In the late 1990s, the Peruvian government granted concessions to allow the construction of a cable car to the ruins and development of a luxury hotel, including a tourist complex with boutiques and restaurants. These plans were met with protests from scientists, academics and the Peruvian public, worried that the greater numbers of visitors would pose tremendous physical burdens on the ruins. A growing number of people visit Machu Picchu (400,000 in 2003). For this reason, there were protests against a plan to build a further bridge to the site and a no-fly zone exists in the area. UNESCO is considering putting Machu Picchu on its list of endangered World Heritage Sites.

Google Videos Using ancient DNA, researchers unravel the mystery of Machu Picchu PhysOrg - October 1, 2015 The Inca built the site's 15th-century ruins without mortar, fitting the blocks of stone so tightly together that you still cannot fit a piece of paper between them. The design included steeped, agricultural terraces to boost planting space and protect against flooding. But despite its distinction as one of the most iconic and important archeological sites in the world, the origins of Machu Picchu remain a mystery. The Inca left no record of why they built the site or how they used it before it was abandoned in the early 16th century. One thing that makes Machu Picchu so interesting is the idea that actually the population buried there doesn't reflect just a local population. Mysterious statue once stood at Machu Picchu MSNBC - July 25, 2011 A mysterious stone statue, possibly the portrait of the great Inca emperor Pachacuti, once stood in Machu Picchu, according to archival research.

Likely placed against a round stone wall on one of Machu Picchu's terraces, the statue had already disappeared by the time American explorer Hiram Bingham climbed the steep jungle slope to be faced with an archaeological wonder exactly a century ago on July 24, 1911. Bingham, who has been credited as one possible inspiration for the "Indiana Jones" character, saw "a remarkably large and well-preserved abandoned city " perched some 8,000 feet in the clouds "in a wonderfully picturesque position," he wrote in the March 26, 1914, issue of Nature. Machu Picchu Is Mini Re-creation of a Mythic Landscape? National Geographic - June 15, 2009 Peru's Machu Picchu was an Inca pilgrimage site and a scaled-down version of a mythic landscape, according to a controversial new study. The finding challenges the conventional view that Machu Picchu was a royal estate of the Inca ruler Pachacuti, who built it around A.D. 1460.

'Lost city of the Incas' was not a true city NBC - June 10, 2009 Machu Picchu, the "lost city of the Incas," was not a true city but rather a pilgrimage center symbolically connected to the Andean vision of the cosmos, an Italian study has concluded. According to Giulio Magli, professor of archaeoastronomy at Milan's Polytechnic University, Machu Picchu was the ideal counterpart of the Island of Sun, a rocky islet in the southern part of Lake Titicaca. This island had a very important sanctuary which was a destination of pilgrimage. An apparently insignificant rock was believed to be the place of birth of the sun, and therefore of the Inca civilization. Inca Elite Imported Diverse "Staff" to Run Machu Picchu National Geographic - October 28, 2008 Inca nobility at Machu Picchu relied on special, permanent servants from the far corners of the empire to manage the royal estate, according to a new study of human skeletons found buried at the site.

Machu Picchu sits high in the Peruvian Andes about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northwest of the former Inca capital of Cusco. Royal retainers, known as yanacona, may have been brought to the site from as far away as South America's Pacific Coast, the northern highlands, and the area around Lake Titicaca near Peru's border with Bolivia, the study says. Determining the geographic origins of yanacona may help researchers better understand how the Inca practice of paying tributes with labor helped shape the empire's social classes. Rare Mass Tombs Discovered Near Machu Picchu National Geographic - September 16, 2008 Eighty skeletons and stockpiles of textiles found in caves near the ancient Inca site of Machu Picchu may shed light on the role that the so-called lost city of the Inca played as a regional center of trade and power, scientists say. Researchers found the artifacts and remains at two sites within the Machu Picchu Archaeological Park in southeastern Peru, said Fernando Astete, head of the park.

The remains, most of which were found in May 2008 at a site called Salapunku, probably date to 500 to 550 years ago, said Francisco Huarcaya, the site's lead researcher. Due to extensive looting, however, as much as 75 percent of the fabrics found wrapped around the remains are in "bad shape," Huarcaya said. Machu Picchu Discover international travel tips, family friendly vacations &amp; trip planning recommendations for travel destinations near or far. You'll be a knowledgeable traveler ready for anything from a European adventure to an international cruise in no time! The Closest Airport to Machu Picchu <p><a href=""><img src=""></a><p>Machu Picchu is one of Peru's and South America's most spectacular tourist destinations, found just outside of Cusco in southeastern Peru. This Incan wonder in the tropical Andean mountains is a must-see when visiting the region.

Peru has an array of airports near Machu Picchu, served by the continent's major airlines and many international ones.</p> Thu, 05 Sep 2013 22:33:18 +0800 Landforms of Machu Picchu <p><a href=""><img src=""></a><p>Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel situated on a mountain ridge formed by a "graben," which is a block of land downthrown between two fault lines. The ridge spans the adjacent mountain peaks of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu in the Peruvian Andes' Eastern Cordillera, or eastern mountain range. The citadel was built at 8,000 feet above sea level, but is only 1,640 feet above the valley of the Unibamba River, which passes beneath it.

Engineered structures at the site, including terraced agricultural land, water supply and drainage system, occupy 15 square miles.</p> Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:39:46 +0800 Travel Guide to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu <p><a href=""><img src=""></a><p>Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley rank as two of Peru's most prominent tourist destinations. Situated deep in the Andean highlands, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley attract a constant stream of visitors eager to discover the region's stunning vistas and ancient Inca ruins. Virtually all excursions to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley originate from the city of Cuzco, an urban center that used to function as the capital of the vast Inca Empire.

Daily flights service the airport in Cuzco, and numerous roads and train lines also connect the city with the rest of Peru.</p> Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:31:43 +0800 South Machu Picchu Travel Guide <p><a href=""><img src=""></a><p>Machu Picchu is a "bucket list" classic -- and no wonder. The awesomeness of the site's legendary perch on the fog-shrouded crest of the emerald Andes is multiplied by its enduring sense of mystery. Climbing Wayna Picchu, the imposing peak at Machu Piccu's northern edge, delivers incredible views of the ancient site. Unfortunately, that route is quite an undertaking, even for the fitness-minded traveler.

Because it's difficult -- even dangerous, in wet weather -- and only 400 visitors a day are legally allowed to climb it, many tourists choose to visit only the ruins to the south.</p> Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:17:30 +0800 Machu Picchu Tours From Lima <p><a href=""><img src=""></a><p>A World Heritage site, Machu Picchu and its civilization were lost until discovery of the site in 1911. As Machu Picchu is Peru's premier tourist attraction, many tour operators offer excursions to the city from its major international gateway and capital, Lima.</p> Tue, 12 Jun 2012 13:51:42 +0800 How to Go to Machu Picchu <p>Machu Picchu is located above the Urubamba Valley in Peru and often referred to as the &quot;lost city of the Incas.&quot; The Incas started building Machu Picchu in AD 1430 as a place for the sacred rulers.

It was abandoned as a site for the rules around AD 1530 during the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. In 1983, Machu Picchu was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered a culturally important and sacred place to Peru.</p> Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:56:19 +0800 Bike Tours in Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu in Peru <p><a href=""><img src=""></a><p>Thanks to the Inca civilization, whose people constructed extensive networks of trails throughout the Peruvian Andes, the Sacred Valley has become a world-class mountain biking destination. To combine the remarkable sights of Machu Picchu and numerous other sacred Inca sites with a thrilling biking adventure, choose an organized tour with a specialist company.

Bike tours following routes suited to visitors with a range of experience and fitness levels are available in the region.</p> Tue, 12 Jun 2012 13:01:53 +0800 High-End Machu Picchu Tours <p><a href=""><img src=""></a><p>Once the Western Hemisphere&amp;#039;s epicenter of archaeological digs and anthropological investigations into pre-Columbian culture, Machu Picchu&amp;#039;s elevation to &quot;luxury travel destination&quot; is now assured by a Peruvian travel industry dedicated to pampering sophisticated tourists. From helicopter tours to spas, visitors don&amp;#039;t lack for a thing when visiting this lush, sky-high destination.

Pack your nicest outfits as there&amp;#039;s nothing primitive about the treatment you&amp;#039;ll receive during your stay.</p> Wed, 12 Mar 2014 12:34:37 +0800 Machu Picchu & Galapagos Tours <p>Several tours combine the ancient Incan ruins of Machu Picchu with the chance to explore the famed Galapagos Islands. These tours are designed for travelers who have about two weeks to spend in Peru and Ecuador to allow for travel time and give participants plenty of time at each area.</p> Wed, 12 Feb 2014 12:35:01 +0800 Machu Picchu Hiking Tours <p><a href=""><img src=""></a><p>Forgotten by the wider world for centuries, the ruined Inca capital of Machu Picchu combines the allure of a lost civilization with the gorgeous scenery of the Andean highlands. For the adventurous spirit, the time-tested way to visit Machu Picchu has been up the ancient paths of the Inca Trail.

A number of tour operators in the Peruvian city of Cusco offer hiking tours to Machu Pichu, some of which tack on the Inca Trail as part of a larger trek, and all with camping or other accommodations included.</p> Tue, 12 Jun 2012 13:07:04 +0800 Packing List for Hiking in Machu Picchu <p><a href=""><img src=""></a><p>The hike to Machu Picchu along the Inca Trail in Peru is one of the most famous hikes among adventure travelers. Hikers walk for three to five days, generally starting the trip from Cuzco.

According to Peruvian conservation efforts, all hikers must go with a licensed tour group to ensure proper use of the trails and to minimize impact; the cost of the trip includes meals, accommodation, porters, and guides.</p> Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:44:07 +0800 How to Travel to Machu Picchu <p><a href=""><img src=""></a><p>Machu Picchu is Peru&#039;s most famous tourist attraction and one of the &quot;New Seven Wonders of the World.&quot; Located high in the Andes Mountains of South America, the Machu Picchu ruins lure visitors from around the globe. Travel options to Machu Picchu are a bit limited because of the remote location and extreme altitude. Plan in advance to make sure you have enough time to get to the ruins, and see everything that this remarkable Incan palace complex has to offer.</p> Tue, 12 Jun 2012 13:08:17 +0800 Top tourist attractions in Peru Images Top tourist attractions in Peru Here is a list of top tourist attractions in Peru.

Only the topmost tourist destinations are presented here. To see other destinations, please check the images from Peru section. Curious if any of these place from Peru made it our best tourist attractions in the world list? Read the aformentioned article in order to find out. You can also view all tourist attractions in Peru and other countries on our tourist attractions map . Machu Picchu World Heritage Site Machu Picchu or Machu Pikchu is a 15th-century Inca site located 2,430 metres above sea level. It is located in the Cusco Region, Urubamba Province, Machupicchu District in Peru. It is situated on a mountain ridge above the Sacred Valley which is 80 kilometres northwest of Cusco and through which the Urubamba River flows. Most archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti. Often referred to as the "Lost City of the Incas", it is perhaps the most familiar icon of Inca civilization. The Incas built the estate around 1450, but abandoned it a century later at the time of the Spanish Conquest.

Although known locally, it was unknown to the outside world before being brought to international attention in 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham. Since then, Machu Picchu has become an important tourist attraction. Most of the outlying buildings have been reconstructed in order to give tourists a better idea of what the structures originally looked like. By 1976, thirty percent of Machu Picchu had been restored. The restoration work continues to this day. Saksaywaman Tourist attraction Saksaywaman, Sasawaman, Saksawaman, Sasaywaman, Saqsaywaman or Saksaq Waman is a walled complex on the northern outskirts of the city of Cusco, Peru, the former capital of the Inca Empire. Like many Inca constructions, the complex is made of large polished dry stone walls, with boulders carefully cut to fit together tightly without mortar. The site, at an altitude of 3,701 m, was added as part of the city of Cusco to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983.

Huayna Picchu Mountain Huayna Picchu, Wayna Picchu or Wayna Pikchu is a mountain in Peru around which the Urubamba River bends. It is located in the Cusco Region, Urubamba Province, Machupicchu District. It rises over Machu Picchu, the so-called lost city of the Incas, and divides it into sections. The Incas built a trail up the side of the Huayna Picchu and built temples and terraces on its top. The peak of Huayna Picchu is about 2,720 metres above sea level, or about 360 metres higher than Machu Picchu. According to local guides, the top of the mountain was the residence for the high priest and the local virgins. Every morning before sunrise, the high priest with a small group would walk to Machu Picchu to signal the coming of the new day. The Temple of the Moon, one of the three major temples in the Machu Picchu area, is nestled on the side of the mountain and is situated at an elevation lower than Machu Picchu. Adjacent to the Temple of the Moon is the Great Cavern, another sacred temple with fine masonry.

The other major local temples in Machu Picchu are the Temple of the Condor, Temple of Three Windows, Principal Temple, "Unfinished Temple", and the Temple of the Sun, also called the Torreon. Sacred Valley Geographical Feature The Sacred Valley of the Incas or the Urubamba Valley is a valley in the Andes of Peru, close to the Inca capital of Cusco and the ancient city of Machu Picchu. It is located in the present-day Peruvian region of Cusco. In colonial documents it is referred to as the "Valley of Yucay." According to recent researches it encompasses the heartland of the Inca Empire. The valley is generally understood to include everything between Calca and Lamay, Písac, and Ollantaytambo. The valley was formed by the Urubamba River, also known as Willkanuta River or Willkamayu. The latter, in Quechua, the still spoken lingua franca of the Inca Empire, means the sacred river. It is fed by numerous rivers which descend through adjoining valleys and gorges, and contains numerous archaeological remains and villages.

The valley was appreciated by the Incas due to its special geographical and climatic qualities. It was one of the empire's main points for the extraction of natural wealth, and one of the most important areas for maize production in Peru northwards from Pisac. The early Incas may have come from Wimpillay, as their mummies had been discovered there. Large scale maize production started around 1400 as Inca urban agriculture based on varieties bred in Moray, either a governmental crop lab or a seedling nursery of the Incas. Larco Museum Museum The Larco Museum is a privately owned museum of pre-Columbian art, located in the Pueblo Libre District of Lima, Peru. The museum is housed in an 18th-century vice-royal building built over a 7th-century pre-Columbian pyramid. It showcases chronological galleries that provide a thorough overview of 4,000 years of Peruvian pre-Columbian history. It is well known for its gallery of pre-Columbian erotic pottery.

Paracas National Reserve National park The Paracas National Reserve is located in Ica, Peru and consists of the Paracas Peninsula, coastal areas and tropical desert extending to the south slightly past Punta Caimán, a total of 335,000 ha. It includes Bahía de la Independencia and miles of coastal waters. Its main purpose is to preserve the marine ecosystem and protect the historical cultural heritage related to ancient indigenous peoples, mostly of the Paracas culture. The reserve is home to many species of wildlife, particularly birds Monastery of San Francisco, Lima Tourist attraction Convento de San Francisco is the Spanish name for Saint Francis Monastery located in Lima, Peru at Ancash, south of Parque la Muralla and one block northeast from the Plaza Mayor. The church and convent are part of the Historic Centre of Lima, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991. Aside from a church and monastery it also contains a library and catacombs. In this church, Jude the Apostle is venerated. At the feast of Saint Jude Tadeus a one and a half ton weighing silver stand is carried round in procession by 40 people, starting from the convent.

Torre Tagle Palace Palace The Torre Tagle Palace is a Spanish Baroque palace located at Jr. Ucayali 363, in downtown Lima, Peru, a couple blocks east of the Plaza de Armas. The palace currently is home to the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The palace was commissioned in 1715 by Don Jose Bernardo de Tagle y Bracho: 1st Marqués of Torre Tagle, who at the time was treasurer of the Royal Spanish fleet, for his own personal use as his home. The exterior of the palace has a baroque stone doorway. The main facade is made from stone in the first wing and plaster in the second. The style is Sevillian baroque with a strong Mudéjar influence. The materials used in its construction were brought from Spain, Panama and Central America. Apart from carved columns, the palace is distinguished by two finely worked balconies in dark wood. These balconies adapt the European architecture to vernacular Peruvian tradition. The interiors feature Sevillian tiles, plasterwork, wooden columns, lobed Moorish arches and soaring coffered ceilings.

It is considered to have a true "Limeño" architectural originality, harmoniously combining Andalusian, Moorish, Criollo and Asian features. The public cannot easily visit the inside, but some visits can be made by appointment only at the office of 'Imagen Institucional del organismo público'. Tambo Colorado Tourist attraction Tambo Colorado is a well-preserved Inca adobe complex near the coast of Peru, also known under the Quechua names Puka Tampu, Pukallaqta or Pukawasi. Titicaca National Reservation National park The Titicaca National Reservation is located in the Puno Region, Peru, in the Puno and Huancané provinces. Its main purpose is to preserve the ecosystems and landscapes of the Titicaca lake and surrounding Central Andean wet puna ecoregion. Shadows-on-the-Teche National Register of Historic Places Location Shadows-on-the-Teche is an historic house and garden owned and operated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It was built in 1831-1834 for sugarcane planter David Weeks and his wife Mary C. Weeks.

A National Historic Landmark, the house is located in New Iberia, Louisiana. Pikillaqta Tourist attraction Pikillaqta is a large Wari culture archaeological site 20 km east of Cusco in the Quispicanchi Province. Pikillacta is a village of the Wari people. Wari was the center village and other cities like Pikillacta were influenced from it. The Wari also inhabited many other sites around the area. The site was occupied from about 550 to 1100AD. Its main use was for ceremonies and the site was no complete when it was abandoned. Sanctuary of Las Nazarenas Building The Sanctuary of Las Nazarenas is a church in Lima and is the site of the Peruvian catholic procession of the Lord of Miracles, Señor de los Milagros, who is also the patron of the city. It was constructed together with the Monastery of Nazarenas in 1771, after a major earthquake in 1746. From this church begins America's most important religious procession on October 18 and 28.

World Countries Machu Picchu (Civ5) | Civilization Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Edit Machu Picchu is the first "mountain" Wonder - that is, one that may be built only in a city very close to a mountain tile. This makes it somewhat difficult to build, since such cities are relatively rare. Still, if you do have such a city in the early/early middle game, try to build Machu Picchu, as it will considerably boost your Gold output. The more cities you have, the more it will benefit you. Note that most mountainous Natural Wonders within 2 tiles of a city ( Grand Mesa , Mt. Fuji , Old Faithful , Cerro de Potosi , Sri Pada , Uluru , King Solomon's Mines , Mt. Kilimanjaro , Mt. Sinai and Mt. Kailash ) do not count as a mountain for the purpose of building Machu Picchu. During construction and after completion, a model will be displayed on a nearby mountain tile. A mountain two tiles away from the city is preferred, even if that mountain tile is not within your territory.

Constructing Neuschwanstein will not replace the model if there is only one available mountain tile. Historical Info Edit Clinging to a Peruvian mountaintop at an elevation of 2,350 m (7,700 feet), Machu Picchu was an extraordinary Incan city and a marvel of pre-Columbian architecture. Constructed in the mid-15th century, scholars believe that much of the city was a palace complex of the mighty Incan ruler Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui. Constructed almost entirely of white granite stone, the city was inexplicably deserted in the mid-16th century. The marauding Spanish Conquistadors did not discover the site during their conquest of the Incas, so it has remained relatively intact until today. Archaeologists have identified the aforementioned palace complex, as well as temples, residential areas, plazas and a cemetery, all carved from the living rock. The mountainous terrain surrounding the central structures has been carved into stepped agricultural terraces which were at one time watered by an extensive aqueduct system, in itself a remarkable feat in a mountainous locale. Although in ruins, Machu Picchu retains an extraordinary rugged beauty even today.

It must have been an incredible city during the days when the mighty Incas called it home. Trivia Machu Picchu | Tourzer Machu Picchu Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/27/2013 - 14:36 Machu Picchu (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈmatʃu ˈpiktʃu], Quechua: Machu Picchu [ˈmɑtʃu ˈpixtʃu], "Old Peak") is a pre-Columbian 15th-century Inca site located 2,430 metres (7,970 ft) above sea level.[1][2] Machu Picchu is located in the Cusco Region of Peru, South America. It is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, which is 80 kilometres (50 mi) northwest of Cusco and through which the Urubamba River flows. Most archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti (1438–1472).

Often referred to as the "City of the Incas", it is perhaps the most familiar icon of Inca civilization. The Incas built the estate around 1450, but abandoned it as an official site for the Inca rulers a century later at the time of the Spanish Conquest. Although known locally, it was unknown to the outside world before being brought to international attention in 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham. Since then, Machu Picchu has become an important tourist attraction. Most of the outlying buildings have been reconstructed in order to give tourists a better idea of what the structures originally looked like.[3] By 1976, thirty percent of Machu Picchu had been restored.[3] The restoration work continues to this day.[4] Since the site was never known to the Spanish during their conquest, it is highly significant as a relatively intact cultural site. Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary in 1981 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.[2] In 2007, Machu Picchu was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide Internet poll.

Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls. Its three primary structures are the Intihuatana (Hitching post of the Sun), the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows. These are located in what is known by archaeologists as the Sacred District of Machu Picchu. In September 2007, Peru and Yale University almost reached an agreement regarding the return of artifacts which Yale has held since Hiram Bingham removed them from Machu Picchu in the early 20th century. In November 2010, a Yale University representative agreed to return the artifacts to a Peruvian university.[5] Stops: Machu Picchu Machu Picchu Show related SlideShares at end WordPress Shortcode Published on Feb 12, 2010 Macchu Pichu is Peru’s most visited tourist attraction and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ruin has 140 constructions, including temples, sanctuaries, parks, residences and houses with thatched roofs.

From the city of Cuzco it takes about 3.5 hours to get there by train, or a 2 to 4 day journey on foot from the Urubamba Valley up through the Andes mountain range. The trip involves having to sleep on tents and the traveler must be reasonably fit. The pictures of the ruins and the surrounding countryside are spectacular and one wonders how they managed to transport and built that for many years lost Inca city! ...

Question: A UNESCO heritage site, the major Peruvian tourist attraction Machu Picchu was built by what pre-Columbian civilization?
Answer: Incans